‘Resident’ Status Given in Ramat Migron

Residents of Ramat Migron follow Mitzpe Avichai man in being recognized as “permanent residents” of their outpost home.

By Maayana Miskin

First Publish: 5/18/2012, 11:59 AM

Migron

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Those living in Ramat Migron have resident status in the area, and are not obligated by IDF orders declaring the area a closed military zone, a Jerusalem judge has ruled. The ruling follows a similar ruling regarding a man from the Mitzpe Avichai outpost.

The court order came after a young man was arrested on Wednesday night for entering Ramat Migron after it had been declared a closed military zone. The teen was represented by the Honenu legal rights group.

Attorney Yitzchak Bam spoke to Arutz Sheva following the verdict. Bam, who also represented Aryeh Davis in the precedent-setting Mitzpe Avichai case, explained that the recent verdicts are the first in which judges have recognized that Jews can also be permanent residents in Judea and Samaria.

Previously, IDF orders declaring a closed military zone – a measure often used in an attempt to prevent riots – would normally include an exception for PA residents of the area in order to avoid infringing on their freedom of movement. However, there was no exception made for Jewish residents of Homesh, Ramat Migron, or other communities considered illegal outposts by the IDF.

Bam said that in addition to violating his client’s rights as a Ramat Migron resident, police had violated his rights as a minor. As a 15-year-old, the client should have had his parents or another adult present while he was questioned. However, Bam accused, police questioned the young man alone.